The original Johnny B., gone for Goode

Johnnie Johnson, the man Eric Clapton called "the best blues pianist in the world" and who was immortalized in song by his longtime associate Chuck Berry, has died at the age of 80. Although cause of death has not been determined, Johnson had been on kidney dialysis for some time. This didn't seem to slow him down much, though-- he was touring as recently as last winter, often with Bo Diddley, and his last public performance was two weeks ago. He was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.